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Moha ‘Jicho Pevu’: I had six security officers during election period

Posted on Jan 17, 2018
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Member of Parliament for Nyali Constituency, Mohamed Ali, testifies in court in a case challenging his election. PHOTO | NAIROBI NEWS

By PHILIP MUYANGA

Nyali Constituency MP Mohamed Ali was allocated six security officers by the government in the run up to the August 8, 2017 general election, a court has heard.

The election court further heard that out of the six security officers, two were permanently attached to him, after the former investigative journalist applied for protection from the county commander.

Mr Ali, who was being cross examined by lawyer Mohamed Balala during the hearing of a petition challenging his victory, said he applied for police protection on April 21, 2017 before the Orange Democratic Movement party nominations.

The MP told the court that the officers attached to him, who were from Shimo la Tewa Prison, used their firearms only on two occasions.

“There is no official letter that the officers were allocated to me,” said Mr Ali adding that during the election he did not have a firearm although he is a licensed firearm holder.

He further told Justice Lydia Achode that he does not provide any allowances for the officer since they are paid by the national government.

VOTING EXERCISE

“I buy them food when I’m eating, it’s only human. I can’t eat while they are just watching me. If I do not have money we all suffer,” said Mr Ali.

The MP said on Election Day, he moved around various polling stations in a convoy of five vehicles checking to monitor the exercise.

He said he adhered to the election code of conduct and that none of his agents reported any problems, and that the voting exercise went on smoothly.

Mr Ali, who was an independent candidate, told the court that even after he won the parliamentary seat, he supported ODM leader Mr Raila Odinga who was running for president.

A voter, Dan Abwao, wants Ali’s election nullified and an order issued for fresh elections within the time permitted by the law.

Previously, during the hearing of the petition, a Mombasa county government employee admitted that he was involved in campaigns for ODM’s Nyali parliamentary seat aspirant. The hearing continues.